H.R. No. 2625
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Jim Richardson will be retiring on August 1, 2017,
after 34 years of service as headmaster of Dallas Academy, and this
provides a fitting opportunity to reflect on his long and
distinguished tenure at the helm of that institution; and
WHEREAS, In 1983, Mr. Richardson was appointed as the sixth
headmaster of Dallas Academy, bringing to the campus a vision for
growth and a genuine commitment to promoting educational excellence
for students with learning differences; under his leadership, the
school quickly established an athletic program and began offering a
variety of student extracurricular activities, and its enrollment
steadily grew, surpassing 100 in 1992; and
WHEREAS, The increased number of students required expanded
facilities, and Mr. Richardson's leadership was key to the many
changes that took place at the school in the late 1990s and early
2000s; a gymnasium was added in 1997, and after additional land was
purchased and the academy merged with the Lattner School, a
beautiful new addition was dedicated in 2008 that included a
library, cafeteria, and multiple learning labs; today, the campus
accommodates a student body that numbers approximately 200; and
WHEREAS, While guiding the development of Dallas Academy,
Mr. Richardson has had the joy of watching its students, many of
whom had struggled in public schools, gain newfound confidence and
achieve success in their course work and activities; during his
tenure, the academy's football team won its first state title, its
yearbook, The Legend, received national recognition, and
performing arts students staged the first annual holiday musical;
and
WHEREAS, Born and raised in Wichita Falls, Jim Richardson was
inspired to pursue his calling after witnessing the compassion and
commitment of his mother, who taught students with special needs;
he worked as a teacher and administrator at Skyline High School from
1975 to 1983 before being recruited as headmaster of Dallas
Academy; retirement will afford him the opportunity to spend more
time with his treasured family, which includes his wife, Meg, his
daughter, Meghan, his son-in-law, Ken, and his three grandsons; and
WHEREAS, Revered for his passion and enthusiasm, Jim
Richardson has made a transformative impact through his work as
headmaster that will shape the future of Dallas Academy for years to
come, and he departs from his post with the admiration of his
colleagues and the gratitude of countless students and families;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
Legislature hereby honor Jim Richardson on his retirement as
headmaster of Dallas Academy and extend to him sincere best wishes
for the future; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Mr. Richardson as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.
Bohac
Villalba
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 2625 was adopted by the House on May
28, 2017, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House